Disclaimer: Not my characters. I wish the Bruck would learn to share.
A/N 1: Seventh in my series. The other stories are Kryptonite, But She Breaks, Bulletproof, Twilight Time, Because The Night and A Voice in Ramah. They don't need to be read for this one to make sense, but it would help.
The lyrics in the summary are from Richard Marx's "Hazard".
A/N 2: Yeah, I know a still life is technically a painting of fruit and not people, but my muse was pretty adamant about what she wanted for a title ::grin::
Nath, as always, thank you for being my beta, but even more, for being my friend.

They paint you a picture of perfect nowhere blue skies
Within every lie there's a web of comfort
For them
Not me
To win this twisted war inside me
Won't justify the pain
They paint you a picture of perfect nowhere

Anastacia, "Where Do I Belong?"

It started as friendly teasing between Speed, Delko and Bernstein. One of the other homicide cops overheard and couldn't resist adding his two cents'. Adele laughingly suggested that the men prove their worth, Calleigh seconded the idea, and so on Sunday an assortment of CSIs and cops found themselves at a basketball court.

While they practiced shooting hoops, Speed turned to Delko and muttered, "This is all your fault, you know."

Delko laughed. "Not really. Besides, now you get to show off to Ada."

Speed glanced over at the bleachers. His girlfriend, Ada Rose, sat at the top, her sketchbook open on her lap. She was an artist he'd met a few weeks earlier when he'd interpreted for her. Watching her now, he silently thanked his mother for insisting that he learn sign language as a child.

"Hey, Speed. Focus."

Speed reluctantly turned his attention back to his teammate. "Where's Gen today?"

"At a rehearsal." Delko's tone suggested there was more to it than that, but Speed left it alone. Delko hadn't spoken about his girlfriend all week, which told Speed that there was trouble in paradise. He hoped Delko managed to work things out; Genevieve was good for him.

Speed glanced over at the rest of the CSI team. Calleigh had actually managed to talk Horatio into playing, much to Speed's surprise. Then there was Tyler from DNA, who Delko suspected had never played sport in his life, and Aaron, the other ballistics expert.

The opposing team was made up of Bernstein (whose comment that "White men can't jump" had really instigated the game), Hagen, Bryce from Narc and Kellerman and Hooper from Juvie.

Calleigh and Alexx sat on the bottom row of the bleachers. When Hagen asked for a drink from the cooler they were guarding, they joked that they weren't about to start supporting the enemy.

Adele was moving around, chatting to a few of the people who had come to support, and taking their bets on who they thought would win. The odds were in favor of the CSIs, thanks largely to Horatio and Delko's height.

Horatio pulled Calleigh aside, ostensibly for a good luck kiss. "Time to get out your cheerleading outfit," he murmured, low enough so only she heard.

"Never in my life, Horatio Caine!"

He let his eyes travel the length of her body, then gave a mischievous smirk. "Hmm, I don't really picture you as the cheerleader type in high school."

Calleigh laughed. "My mama would have had my hide!"

His lips brushed her cheek. "It's a pity. You've got great legs."

She batted her eyelashes at him and thickened her accent. "Is the captain of the basketball team hitting on little ol' me?"

"Hey, H! Let's start!" Delko waved from across the court.

Calleigh went up on her toes to kiss her husband. "If you win the game, maybe you'll get lucky tonight." She winked, then went to rejoin Alexx.

"I'll hold you to that!"

Ten minutes into the game, there was still no score when Yelina arrived with Ray, Jr. and Madison. Not entirely comfortable with all the people, Madison climbed up to the top of the bleachers. When Ada didn't look at her, she scooted closer and tried to peek at the sketchbook. Ada smiled, then tore a page from the back and handed Madison a pencil.

Calleigh followed Yelina's gaze. "How is she doing?"

Yelina shrugged. "She's been very quiet the past few days. I only stopped by so Ray could see what was happening. I'm taking her to the hospital afterwards."

"Horatio and I can drop Ray at home after the game if that makes your life easier."

"Thanks. Ray doesn't like hospitals."

"That makes two of us." Calleigh smiled as Adele joined them.

"So, who's your money on?" Adele asked Yelina.

Alexx leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "I think she should be exempt from laying odds. Her loyalties are divided. Job versus family."

Calleigh looked out at the court. Hagen's focus was momentarily on Yelina, which allowed Delko to slip past him and shoot. Calleigh and Alexx jumped to their feet to applaud and the men exchanged high-fives.

"If this isn't a display of testosterone, I don't know what is," Alexx said.

When everything had settled down again, Calleigh turned back to Yelina. "Horatio says you've been trying to locate Suzie's family."

Yelina nodded. "Yes. The doctors say there's no chance of Suzie waking up but I don't want to be the one who has to decide about life support . . . she's still Maddie's mother."

There was a ruckus from the court, distracting the women. Hooper had fallen and sat clutching his knee. Alexx picked up the first aid kit and strode onto the court, shaking her head. As she wrapped the graze with a bandage, she couldn't resist commenting on the weakness of the cop team. There was a chorus of denials from said team, while the CSIs just laughed.

"I'm glad you're on our side," Speed said.

Yelina and Madison left shortly before half time. Calleigh climbed to the top of the bleachers, sat next to Ada and gently touched her arm.

You want to draw too? Ada wrote, her eyes twinkling.

Calleigh shook her head. "Nope, just wanted a chance to interrogate you about Tim."

Ada smiled. Ah.

"He seems pretty serious about you."

Ada shrugged. He's a serious guy.

"Yeah. You make him happy, though. You're good for him." Calleigh looked at the court, then back at Ada so she could read her lips. "Tim's a very private guy. He doesn't talk about . . . well, anything not work-related, really!"

Ada laughed, and the sound surprised Calleigh. Ada saw her look of confusion and smiled. I'm not mute. I just know that sometimes it makes people uncomfortable when I speak.

"Sorry, I assumed . . . because I'd never heard you speak . . ."

It's okay.

"Okay."

Tim's looking at us.

"Probably wondering what embarrassing stories I'm telling you."

Ada's eyes glinted mischievously. You know his embarrassing stories? Do tell.

Calleigh laughed. "Later. It's half time now. Let's go see how the men are coping."

That evening, Horatio lay soaking in the bath. Calleigh sat on the edge of the tub, trailing her fingers in the water.

"We should do things like this more often," she said. "It's good to see everyone relaxed."

"Yes, everyone who wasn't on the court."

Calleigh chuckled. "Stop complaining. You know you had a good time."

"I did. I may not be able to move for a few days, but I enjoyed myself. I noticed you and Ada hitting it off."

"She's nice. I like her. I never really got a chance to talk to her at the wedding."

"I'm sure Tim was just craving your approval." Horatio laughed, grabbing her wrist. Calleigh recognized the look in his eye but before she could move away, he pulled her into the tub, clothes and all. "I seem to recall a promise about getting lucky tonight."

"Horatio!" She splashed him, then managed to sit upright. "I thought you were too sore for any more physical activities."

"Oh, I'm sure this will be worth any additional, uh, stiffness."

Calleigh grinned. "Well, you are the boss."

"I'm going to remember you said that."

Calleigh pulled his head closer. "Shut up and kiss me already."